Follow us online! rblandmark.com @riversidebrookfieldlandmark
RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD
@riversidebrookfield_landmark
$1.00
Resignation at D96
Vol. 41, No. 13
April 1, 2026
Page 10
The Jr. Bulldogs – girls and boys – make history at state Girls finish fourth in feeder program’s first trip in recent memory
Boys team strikes gold, repeats state title By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
The Riverside Brookfield Junior Bulldogs fifth-grade girls basketball team established the goal of improving upon last season’s 13-12 record. The team achieved beyond that all the way into program history. These Junior Bulldogs became the feeder program’s first girls team qualifier – at least in recent memory -- for the Illinois Middle School Basketball Championships March 20-22 in Bloomington-Normal. “I just thought we were really motivated and kept lifting each other up,” said wing/ post player Olivia Prosser, who attends Central Elementary School in Riverside. “I just thought (state) was so great. We were all super excited. We were just happy to get the experience to be in that tournament.” Team members are Lisette Cabanas, Lila Claps, Vivian Herrera, CJ Hodina, Claire Marx, Esme Pierik, Prosser, Hana Schiemann and Molly Wojtowicz. The head coach was Missy Wojtowicz with assistant coaches Joanne Schiemann, See GIRL JR. BULLDOGS on page 11
COURTESY OF MISSY WOJTOWICz
The Riverside Brookfield Junior Bulldogs fifth grade girls basketball team earned a historic berth to the Illinois Middle School Basketball Championship. Team members are (front row, from left) Lisette Cabanas, Claire Marx, Hana Schiemann, Lila Claps, (back row) Olive Prosser, CJ Hodina, Esme Pierik, Molly Wojtowicz and Vivian Herrera.
Maksas Bursua and his Riverside Brookfield Junior Bulldogs fifth grade boys Blue teammates won a wild game March 22 that they probably will never forget. By the way, it also happened to be for the state championship. Lasting three overtimes, the Junior Bulldogs first rallied and then persevered and survived to edge TLK Black 39-36 for the Gold Division title in Normal and the feeder program’s second straight championship at the fifth-grade level. “It was crazy, honestly a dream come true,” said Bursua, who attends Central Elementary School in Riverside. “We were all crying at the end because it was so amazing. It was very emotional when we won. Just to pull out that victory is a complete accomplishment, even if it wasn’t for a state championship.” Team members are Bursua, Declan Chmelar, Owen Frame, Germaal Gervais, Angel Loera, Finn Johnson, Aedan Ketchmark, Freddie Krafnick, Cole Ryan and Salvador Tucker. The head coach was Jason Gant with assistants Chris Chmelar and Chris Frame. Gant has been a varsity assistant coach for the See BOYS JR. BULLDOGS on page 15
Follow us on Instagram! @riversidebrookfield_landmark Top stories, local government, features, events, dining, art, and sports right at your fingertips!